Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS1355

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and 13 civilians were reported killed alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least three civilians including a child died due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles firing on Bustan Al Qasr neighborhood in Aleppo city”

AleppoAMC posted a picture of a five-year-old child, whose dead body was recovered from the rubble.

But Halab News reported that the strike was conducted by helicopters, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out – while Shahed-alep said that the civilian harm was caused by artillery shelling.

Smart News put the death toll at 13 with six more injured, noting the use of cluster bombs in the attack.

However, most sources put the death toll at five.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bakri Sinda
5 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 13
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage shows many wounded civilians on the back of a vehicle in Bustan al Qasr, September 26th. The human cost of alleged Russian warplane shelling. (Tweet via @mabw7773)
  • A photograph of Bakri Sinda who died in suspected Russian shelling on Bustan al Qasr, September 26th. The child was pulled from the rubble by the Civil Defense team. (via @AleppoAMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 13
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1356

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LCCSY reported four dead civilians as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo.

It added that “some people were wounded.”

Currently there is no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1354

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.231951, 37.170997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Halak neighbourhood of Aleppo.

While most sources claimed that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime, a number of outlets reported the strikes were Russian.

Syriamubasher wrote: “A woman and two men died as a result of raids by Russian aircraft on the Al Halak neighborhood in Aleppo.”

According to LCCSY, “four civilians died and dozens were wounded as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric weapon attack on the Halak neighborhood.”

Akhbar Alaan reported the use of phosphorus and napalm bombs in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1353

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

كرم حومد, Karam Homad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196287, 37.181253 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and six people were reportedly killed in Russian airstrikes on the Karam Homad neighbourhood of Aleppo.

Rfsmediaoffice reported: “Our correspondent in Aleppo said that the warplanes bombed the neighborhood of Karam Homad with several rockets, causing the death of three people and a number of wounded, noting that they are trapped under the rubble and seriously wounded.”

Several sources such as the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two children were amongst the dead.

SyrianArwad and Thiqanewsagency named the child victims.

Several people were also injured in the attack, according to various sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mahmoud Junaid
10 years old male killed
Mohammed Junaid
6 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1352

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were reported killed as a result of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes in Khan Al Assal, a village west of Aleppo.

LCCSY reported: “One dead and a number of wounded civilians due to Russian aircraft targeting Khan Al Assal in the western countryside with cluster bombs.”

Later, it also reported on Facebook: “Khan Al Assal town in the western suburbs was subjected to similar airstrikes, leaving two dead, including a woman, and dozens of wounded among civilians.”

Qasioun wrote that “a civilian was killed and seven others were wounded in Syrian military airstrikes on the town of Khan Al Assal in the western suburbs of Aleppo.”

Shahba Press claimed two civilians were wounded.

24Aleppo reported three dead civilians.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1351

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Location

صلاح الدين, Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1874206, 37.1204853 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians were reported killed and 20 more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Salahudin in Aleppo.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported “four civilians (three children and their mother) died when alleged Russian warplanes missiles fired on Salahudin neighborhood in Aleppo city.”

Thiqanewsagency and Almawi, among others, reported a lower count with three people killed.

The Shaam News Network put the death toll at six.

SheroAlo1 posted pictures of those wounded on Twitter.

Thiqanewsagency also reported that a journalist was among those injured in the strikes.

Several sources reported the use of cluster bombs in the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ghaith Yaqout Al Murjan
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic footage of the resuce mission in Salahudin following alleged Russian strikes, September 25th (Youtube via The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilians treated for injuries sustained in alleged Russian shelling on Salahudin, September 25th (via SHRC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Numerous photographs of severely injured civilians in Salahudin following alleged Russian shelling, September 25th (via @SheroAlo1)
  • Victims of alleged Russian attacks on Salahudin receive medical treatment, September 25th (@thiqanewsagency)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1350

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between ten and 18 civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo.

IranArabSpring also reported the death of one man as a result of cluster bombs and posted a picture of him.

LCCSY reported ten civilians dead and others wounded.

Syrian Press Center added that cluster and phosphorus bombs were used in the attack.

According to Alsouria, regime helicopters also carried out strikes, while the Shaam News Network noted “swarms of Russian and Assad aircraft” in the Aleppo skies.

Halab News listed the named of four victims, noting that 14 more were unidentified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Maysar Mohammad al Hassan
Age unknown killed
Zakaria Azizi
Age unknown killed
Hassan Dashan
Child killed
Rama A’jjouri
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 18
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Hassan Dashan died in alleged Russian shelling on Tareeq al Bab, September 25th (via @IranArabSpring)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 18
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1349

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed in the Al Mashhad neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media. Reporting was conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian Regime was responsible.

LCCSY reported: “Aleppo: Three martyrs and some wounded as Russian warplanes bombarded Mashhad neighborhood.”

Thiqanewsagency reported that a bus was hit with cluster bombs in the strikes.

In addition, Baladi News Network reported the use of phosphorus bombs.

While most sources blamed Russia, @BtwlatAljyshAls reported that “the Syrian Army is now targeting the neighborhood of Amiriya in Aleppo, the neighborhood of Al Sukkari, and Al Mashhad”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Subhi Qabakjabi
Age unknown male killed
Yussuf Attal
Age unknown male killed
Rabi’a Barkawi
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Evidence of alleged phosphorous bomb shelling on Al Mashad, Aleppo, September 25th (Youtube via Baladi)
  • Significant material destruction in Al Mashad following alleged Russian shelling, September 25th (via Eldorar)
  • A street in Al Mashad destroyed following alleged Russian shelling, September 25th (via Eldorar)
  • Footage shows fires in the street of Al Mashad following suspected Russian campaign on September 25th (via @reeema3110)
  • Civilian houses burn in Al Mashad following alleged Russian shelling on September 25th (via @RevolutionSyria)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]